Three-ater

Hi all,

It is once again Steven here to bring you some news about what is happening in the theatre department. Here are the details to the first of many service projects that is happening with the theatre during Waldorf College’s 50 days of Service:

On Monday February 25th Waldorf Theatre will kick off it’s slew of 50 days of Service projects with an event known as Three-ater down in the Theatre Department’s new Black box. This event has three show which will rotate during the week of Feburary 25th to March 1st. Here are how the shows will break down performance wise followed by a description for two of the three shows.

The shows are as follows:

“Two Rooms” by Lee Blessing
Directed by Cassandra Snow
Monday Feb 25
Thursday Feb 28

“The Pillowman” by Martin McDonagh
Directed by Andrew L. Rosdail
Tuesday Feb 26
Friday Feb 29

“Mint” by Randy Wyatt
Directed by Immanuel Elliot
Wednesday Feb 27
Saturday Mar 1

All shows start at 7:30 PM and will be the first shows performed at the brand new Waldorf Black Lab.

See them all!
Seating is limited, so don’t be late…

Tickets? We don’t have tickets because the shows are all FREE. Free, as in, the only thing you’re paying with is your time.

Warning: these shows contain harsh language and content. Use discretion in choosing which show(s) you attend. If you are offended, don’t say I didn’t warn you…

“Two Rooms”
Genre: Tragedy
A young couple is torn apart as terrorists kidnap the husband. The wife takes everything out of his office and barricades herself in with only a small, uncomfortable bed and a small rug, so that she can experience what he is experiencing. Meanwhile a government agent and a newspaper report, both with other motives, claim they are trying to help.

“Pillowman”
Genre: tragicomedy
A writer in totalitarian state is brought in for questioning due to the content of his disturbing short stories in relation to a series of brutal child murders that had been occurring.

“Mint”

A young man’s struggle to accept his father’s death, his mother’s mental illness, and his aunt’s disapproval of his homosexual lifestyle.

 

There will be talk-backs with the director after each performance. Some of us have a lot of explaining to do…

Here are also two of the posters for the shows

So as one can see we have a lot going on in our department for the next few weeks and we are still as busy as ever.

So in closing I would like say that I hope you have a safe week

Until next post,

Steven Van Overbeke

Head of Communications for Waldorf Theatre

24 hour Theatre Project

Hi all,

This post I am letting you know of an event that will be happening March 7th and 8th called the 24 hour Theatre Project. The kick off of this is on March 7th at 6:30pm
Basically, what this whole event is is the Theatre Department will write, direct, and produce build cast rehearse, create publicity and do tech and properties for  a production with things like skits, ten minute plays, one acts, and other things of that nature all within a period of 24 hours. This going to be a very fun event and we here at the theatre department are really excited for it. It is going to be extremely fun. If you are interested in being apart of this event or would like to help another way please come by the Theatre Suite located next to the book store to pick up an application from Jeremy or Bob.

We need a lot of help in order to get this event running. Anyone is welcome to including community and faculty members.  We ask though that are at least 18 or a freshman in college in order to help out with this event though

Until next post,

Steven Van Overbeke

Head of Communications for Waldorf Theatre

England Trip

Hi all,

It is once again Steven. I said in the last post that I would be giving the detail of the England trip out to people Well here they are:

Dear Students,

 

I am pleased to announce plans for a 3-week study course in England in May 2009.  The course will center in London and will include excursions to Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, and other locations in central and southeastern England.

 

The course tentatively includes:

 

-Shakespeare’s Globe performances, tours, and workshops

-Visits to Westminster Abbey, the National Theatre, St. Paul’s, the Tower of London, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Wren churches, the ancient city of Bath, Shakespeare’s birthplace, Oxford university, the Sheldonian Theatre, Sissinghurst, Bodiam Castle, Ightham Mote, Scotney Old Castle, Rye, the British Museum, and many, many more sites.

-London history and architecture

-At least ten plays in London, Stratford, including at Shakespeare’s Globe, London’s West End and Fringe Theatres, the Royal Shakespeare Company, etc.

 

You will learn the city like never before.  Course expenses, including airfare, all accommodations, in-country transportation, all event tickets and admissions (but not tuition) is approximately $3800-$4300.  Usually, financial aid proceeds can be used for the trip expense.

If you are interested in going to England in May 2009. Please either come to the meeting on Wednesday February 27th at 5:30pm, or see Jeremy Fiebig if you can’t make it to that meeting.

Until the next post

Steven Van Overbeke

Head of Communications for Waldorf Theatre

 

New Minor for Next Year plus a trip to England

Hi all,

It is once again Steven here to relay to you some really important news. I am really excited to this. It has to do with some things that will happening here next year. So I will just come out and say it. Waldorf’s Theatre department has officially added a Shakespeare Minor to the program. This is perfect due to the fact that as of this year we are going to put on a Shakespeare play every year from now on. For those thinking of becoming a Shakespeare minor or are at least curious as to the requirements here they are:

SHAKESPEARE MINOR

 

23-24 total credit hours.

 

Note: for all courses in this minor, departmental prerequisites shall be waived at the discretion of the instructor.

ENG 355 Shakespeare (3 cr.)

Using literary criticism and close textual analysis, this course will examine several of Shakespeare’s plays, representing the dramatic genres of comedy, history, tragedy, and romance.

 

HIS 120 Medieval World (3 cr.) or THR 415 Theatre Travels* (4 cr.)

A survey of global societies including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas which existed in the thousand year period between the ancient and modern eras (c. AD 500-1500). Attention will be given to the massive and creative developments of this period.

* Theatre Travels may replace HIS 120 with permission of instructor on trips to Great Britain only.

 

HIS 335 Medieval Europe (3 cr.)

A study of Medieval Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire to the eve of the Reformation. Emphases will be placed on the development of medieval culture, the rise of the Christian Church and nationstates, and the famines, plagues, and wars that challenged society.

 

THR 320 Elizabethan & Restoration Theatre (3 cr.)

An exploration of dramatic forms and styles, production practices and theatre performance in Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Resoration England. Work in the course will include script analysis, historical reading and research, and performance/audience experience through live and/or video productions.

 

THR 332 Acting III: Classical Acting Styles (3 cr.) – to be proposed

Advanced and disciplined work in acting styles including Shakespeare. Emphases on verse, text, and performance; audition technique; advanced character development and scene work; resume and portfolio. Instructor approval required.

 

THR 400 Theatre Company (3 cr.)

Students experience total immersion in the formation of a production company and the day-to-day workings of a functioning theatre company leading to and including public performance. All aspects of production and management are explored and students fulfill a primary position in the company, as well as secondary positions and necessary functions. Students are required to keep a daily activity log, a response journal, participate in peer review and public faculty evaluation.

 

THR 001, 002, 003 Practicum: Acting/Design Technical/Administrative (1/4 cr.; must have 8 total practica, 3 of which must be from a Shakespeare production)

Participation in the cast, crew, and/or staff for a Department of Theatre Production.

THR/ENG 498 Shakespeare Thesis (3 cr.)

Thesis project synthesizing literary, historical, biographical, and theatrical elements of plays of Shakespeare and/or other early modern dramatists. An advisor from the English or Theatre departments must be assigned as an advisor for this thesis project. Further guidelines for the thesis are available from the Theatre Department.

Now to go along with that the Theatre Department is planning on going on a trip to England in May of 2009. More details on that to come later.

Until the next post

Steven Van Overbeke

Head of Communications for Waldorf Theatre

Auditions

Auditions for scholarships for next year will be held on March 1st. Here are the details as to what the auditioners will be expected to do when they audition

Auditions will be cold readings from a potential range of contemporary and classical material.

Auditioners may choose to bring supplementary materials such as production photos, design portfolios, or letters of recommendation, though these materials are not required in any way.

The Waldorf College Theatre Department hosts an annual season of four mainstage, faculty-directed shows in our main performance space, Smith Theatre.  We also produce up to six student-directed shows, the 24 hour theatre project, and a variety of other experimental shows, projects, and readings.

Waldorf College Theatre offers scholarships to majors, minors, and non-majors alike

Until next post,

Steven Van Overbeke

Head of Communications for Waldorf Theatre

Family Weekend Theatre Scholarship Auditions

Hi all,

It is once again Steven here to tell you that later today we will be having auditions for theatre scholarships for students that are planning to come here during our first family weekend of the second semester. It is my hope that we get some great talent for next year.

Until the next post,

Steven Van Overbeke

Head of Communications for Waldorf Theatre Depatment

Mission for Waldorf Theatre and A Philosopy of Theatre

Hey all,

It is once again Steven, and now that a few weeks have gone by I thought it would be prudent to share with the readers of this blog something very important. I am here now to give you insight into not only what the Waldorf Theatre believes as its philosophy of theatre, but what skills are used and improved as well through working at a place like the Waldorf Theatre Department.

To start off with I think one must first learn what the mission statement of Theatre at Waldorf is.

To put it simply: The mission of the Department of Theatre is to prepare our graduates with hands-on experience, a thorough academic foundation, and exploration of the concept of the theatre student as both a being of spirituality and reason for successful careers and fulfilling lives of service through the expression, teaching, producing, and advancing the vocation of theatre not only as an art form, but as a continuation of articulating the human condition.

Continuing on there are many ways that one learns here at Waldorf College, however, the Theatre Department here at Waldorf believes that there are six ways in which their students achieve the goal of becoming a life long learners. How you may ask?

(These six ideas are directly from A Philosophy for Waldorf Theatre which was written by our new Technical Director Professor Jeremy Fiebig, who adapted these ideas from “A Philosophy for Concordia Theatre Folk” by Jim Cermak, Concordia College-Moorehead, MN).

1. Students learn to manage creatively the limited and valuable resources of time, money, people, building space, equipment, supplies, ideas, and texts. For example, majors and minors in Business, Religion, Communications, Education, Wellness, etc. have found theatre courses to be valuable learning opportunities for preparation in THEIR respective fields.
2. Students develop writing skills through script analysis, playwriting, dramaturgy, reviews, resumes, and journaling.
3. Students engage in practical application of time management, budgeting, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, design, and learning and leadership styles in theatre classes like Scene Technology, Costuming, Design, Directing, Production Seminar, etc.
4. Students undertake “creative problem solving” within the context of theatre production.
5. Students experience hands-on work with tools and materials such as wood, plastic, paper, metal, foam, hot melt glue, sewing machines, PVC and metal pipe, table saw, radial arm saw, chop saw, miter box, band saw, power drills, electric tools, hammers, wrenches, electrical lighting and sound, paint, etc.

6. Lastly, students explore human nature, the human experience, and the truth in each production. They engage in exploration of inter-cultural understanding, personal tragedy, love, laughter, hope, sharing, fear, social acceptance, etc.
So, that’s it. That is  what the mission of the Waldorf Theatre  is, and how it can help one improve in all aspects of life as it is today.

So, if you as a student want an experience you will never forget. If you want to have a lot of opportunities to have hands on learning, or you just want more help sharpening and developing the skills already have then come check us out here at the Waldorf Theatre Department in Forest City, Iowa.

In closing, I would like to wish you all a peaceful rest of the weekend.

Until the next post,

Steven Van Overbeke

Head of Communications for Waldorf Theatre Department

 

KCACTF Congratulations

Hi all,

Once again it is Steven here to extend congratulations to both John Crane, a student in the theatre program here at Waldorf and the Theatre Department’s own Professor Jeremy Fiebig for their accomplishments at KCACTF.

John, during the American College Theatre Festival was able to auditions for a group known as Alternative Forms of Playwriting Initiative for Region V,  and he was able to earn a spot in there as a performer so congratulations go out to John from all of us here at the Theatre Department.

Professor Jeremy Fiebig also deserve some recognition as well becuase he like John was chosen for a very special honor. That of being a mentor to a student director who was directing a ten minute play. So like with John, we here at the Theatre Department would also like to say Congratulations Jeremy for this prestigious honor.

Well I just wanted extend my personal congratulations to these two gentlemen. They are very deserving of these honors.  Also, be on the lookout in the next few weeks for Jeremy’s post detailing his experience being a ten minute theatre mentor. It should be really good.

So, in closing I would like to wish everyone a safe happy and healthy weekend.

Be sure to stay warm.

Until next post,

Steven Van Overbeke

Head of Communications for Waldorf Theatre Department